Golkar prepares for bigger win<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the ruling political organization
\nGolkar yesterday began their three-day congress to discuss
\nstrategies to record an even greater victory in the 1997 general
\nelection. Golkar aims to increase its percentage of the vote from
\n68 percent in 1992 to 71 percent.<\/p>\n
Party executives said the three-percent increase would
\nsolidify Golkar's position as the dominant political grouping and
\nensure \"the continuation of the New Order government\".<\/p>\n
In his speech Chairman Harmoko did not mention any figure, but
\nsaid that Golkar should not only increase its number of votes but
\npush for a better general election.<\/p>\n
\"Quantitatively...this means we have to increase our victory
\nfrom what we gained in 1992. If Golkar got 68.10 percent then, we
\ncould consider our victory solid if we could increase our number
\nof votes in 1997,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Deputy chair Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, who also organizes
\nGolkar's leadership meeting and 32nd anniversary celebration on
\nSunday, said she hoped Golkar would win as many votes as
\npossible, but doubted it would see a significant increase.<\/p>\n
\"What's important is that Golkar can retain an absolute
\nmajority,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Harmoko also instructed Golkar branches across the country to
\ngive estimates of their target vote levels. \"I called on all
\nbranches to present relatively accurate estimates (which reflect
\ntheir success) in garnering votes, so that the target we decided
\non would have strong base,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The meeting itself was held at the Gran Melia Hotel and was
\nopened by Hartarto acting on behalf of President Soeharto, who is
\nchairman of the board of patrons. About 1,000 leading members
\ndressed in yellow jackets, the grouping's color, gathered in the
\nball room which was lavishly decorated with yellow flowers and
\nornaments.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and ABRI Chief
\nof Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid wore their green
\nuniforms. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono, who declared last
\nyear that ABRI would support Golkar, wore a yellow jacket.<\/p>\n
In contrast, the chiefs of regional military commands from
\nIndonesia's 27 provinces wore batik shirts.<\/p>\n
In his speech, President Soeharto reminded Golkar members that
\npolitical development would never proceed with ripplings here and
\nthere. \"It (political life and development) is dynamic. But, no
\nmatter what, we must never sacrifice political stability...it's a
\nprerequisite for us to develop the people's welfare\".<\/p>\n
\"Ahead of us is a great responsibility. There's no alternative
\nto a successful general election, and Golkar's success in the
\ngeneral election,\" he said. \"For that purpose, all Golkar cadres
\nhave to work hard, whether they are preparing programs and
\nstrategies or election campaigning.\"<\/p>\n
Golkar and the two other political groupings -- the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) --
\nwill contest 425 of the 500 seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives. The remaining 75 will be allocated for ABRI
\nrepresentatives as ABRI members who do not vote.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., Golkar secretary
\ngeneral Ary Mardjono and deputy chairmen Abdul Gafur and Theo L.
\nSambuaga all spoke at the meeting. At the congress Golkar will
\ndiscuss the domestic political map and prepare a political
\nstatement to be delivered on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Harmoko said the criteria for electing a president in 1998
\nwhen the 1,000-member People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
\nconvene was also discussed.<\/p>\n
Social scientist Marwah Daud Ibrahim, who is a Golkar cadre,
\nsaid a portion of yesterday's meeting was used for introspection.
\n\"We reminded one another how Golkar figures and leaders should
\nbecome populist leaders, able to win people's hearts,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Political scientist Burhan Magenda, also a Golkar member, said
\nthe grouping would have to work very hard if it wished to achieve
\nthe three percent increase, because the two other contestants
\nwould give the election their best. (swe\/imn)<\/p>\n
Dominance -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-prepares-for-bigger-win-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }